Ethelwulf was the elder son of King Egbert of Wessex. He was born some time around 800 AD, and succeeded his father as King of Wessex in 839. He fought the invading Danes, whose raids increased considerably. A major victory for Ethelwulf was archived at "Acleah", probably Ockley. Ethelwulf also defeated Cyngen ap Cadell of Wales together with Mercia. In 855, after his wife's death, he went in a pilgrimage to Rome with a younger son, Alfred. In the return journey in 856, he was deposed by his eldest son, Ethelbald. He died January 13, 858 and was buried first at Steyning and then later transferred to Winchester. The image here is an imaginary portrait drawn by an unknown artist.
Ethelwulf's ring, depicted in Cassell's History of England, Century Edition, published circa 1902
The gold ring, depicted in the picture, is about an inch across, richly decorated with religious symbols, is inscribed 'Ethelwulf Rex' and was found at Laverstock, Wiltshire, in 1780; it was believed to have been a gift from Ethelwulf to a loyal follower.
Aethelwulf then married his daughter to the Mercian king Burgred (853), and in 856 he himself married the daughter of Charles II the Bald, king of the West Franks.
Aethelwulf was deposed by a rival faction upon his return from a pilgrimage to Rome in 856, but he continued to rule Kent and several other eastern provinces until his death.
AEthelwulf next married Judith of the West Franks, daughter of Charles II the Bald of France and Irmentrud of Orleans, on 1 Oct 856.
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